For the vast majority of us who didn’t experience the last global pandemic in 1918, we’re in unprecedented times. There are lots of things to consider when shopping for used cars in Calgary in the most ordinary times. What special considerations should you keep in mind during these far from ordinary times? To help you address your need for safe, reliable transportation if you’re looking to buy or finance a used vehicle at the moment, here are some things to keep in mind.
Is anyone open?
Service stations, car and truck dealerships, and related facilities in Calgary are non-restricted services that are permitted to be open to the public. This does not mean that every used car dealership in Calgary is open, however. You should reach out to any particular retailer or dealership you’re interested in because there will likely be different processes in place than previously. A used car dealership in Calgary will be able to walk you through the process you should follow.
Online shopping
During the pandemic, many dealerships enhanced their options for selling cars online, or at least for handling some of the procedural tasks online. You may, by calling ahead, find that you can review inventory, negotiate, secure financing, etc. without needing to physically attend a dealership if you’re concerned about doing so for health-related reasons. Even to the extent you need or want to attend a dealership, you’ll find that used car dealerships in Calgary have taken steps to make that in-person process even safer and more efficient in the present circumstances.
Test drives
The most complicated aspect of purchasing a car during the pandemic is likely to be taking a test drive due to the sanitation, social distancing, and scheduling steps that will need to be taken. You may find yourself test driving fewer cars, but you should certainly test drive any car before you purchase it. Other aspects of the car-buying experience that may change from prior transactions are research. You will likely find yourself doing much more research online than in person.
Trade-ins
If you are trading in a vehicle as part of financing your new-to-you car, you may be given the option of a “blind trade.” In a blind trade, you’ll send pictures of your car’s interior and exterior to the used car dealership along with its VIN (vehicle identification number) and odometer reading. This eliminates the need for physical inspection and evaluation. Not all used car dealerships in Calgary will use blind trade-ins, though, so ask ahead if this could affect you.
Inspections
One highly recommended step in purchasing any used car in normal times is to have your preferred option inspected by a mechanic you trust. If you are concerned about the risks of the interactions that such an arrangement would involve, or if your preferred mechanic is not operating at the present time, you may want to consider limiting your search to Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles. They’ll already have undergone inspections. When reviewing websites or contacting used car dealerships about purchasing a car during the pandemic, ask them what CPO vehicles they have available. Even in a pandemic, you should not purchase a car that has not been thoroughly inspected.
Prices
As far as prices are concerned, this may be a good time to purchase used cars in Calgary. Used car dealerships have been sitting on a considerable amount of inventory during reduced buying activity as a result of the pandemic, and wholesale prices for used cars dropped markedly in the spring. What does this mean for you? There may be even more room to negotiate the price of a used car than usual.
We know that buying a new-to-you car is stressful at the best of times and that these are far from the most ordinary of times. Having said that, used car dealerships are as excited to sell you the perfect car as you are to find one. Don’t hesitate to contact them about your needs despite the ongoing pandemic. Let them rise to the challenge of addressing all your concerns creatively and safely.